FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 18, 2019

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS PARTNER WITH STAR GORD BAMFORD TO CELEBRATE MEMORIAL CUP AND WHL ANNIVERSARY

The Who’s Who of Hockey celebrate Blazers History February 21 & 22, 2020 Gord Bamford #REDNEK Music Fest kicks off the weekend

KAMLOOPS, BC October 18, 2019 – are celebrating the franchise’s storied history proclaiming February 21 & 22, 2020, the Kamloops Blazers Memorial Cup Anniversary. Celebrating champions from 1984, ’86, ’90, ’92, ‘94 and ’95, Blazer Alumni, and management are invited back to Kamloops to remember and share stories with the entire community.

“2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Blazer’s last Memorial Cup win in 1995, winning three times in a span of four years,” remarks Kamloops Blazers President and COO, Don Moores. “The Kamloops Blazers have won the most Memorial Cups of any WHL team and we wanted to take the opportunity to commemorate it by bringing the teams back who made it all happen.”

The Kamloops Blazers Memorial Cup Anniversary weekend kicks off Friday February 21 with Canada’s most decorated country music artist Gord Bamford and his #REDNEK Music Fest including an Up Close & Personal preshow with Rob Brown, Ken Hitchcock and Shane Doan. The #REDNEK Music Fest features Platinum-selling winner Jess Moskaluke, JoJo Mason, Eric Ethridge, Andrew Hyatt, Cory Marks, Duane Steele, and GhostBoy.

Gord Bamford’s son Nash was drafted by the Kamloops Blazers earlier this year. Bamford played in Kamloops last summer at BCLC’s Midsummer Music Jam to unprecedented crowds. Bamford also geared up on ice in 2016 in the WHL’s 50th Season Pro Am Alumni Game as part of the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada celebrations in Kamloops.

“Kamloops has become a special place for me and my family,” says Bamford. “I’m honoured to kick off the Blazers Memorial Cup celebration with our amazing lineup of artists. You can’t get more Canadian than country music and hockey.”

Tickets to Gord Bamford #REDNEK Music Fest go on sale to the public through Ticketmaster on October 25. Ticket prices start at $39.50.

Saturday February 22, Blazer Alumni and guests will attend a brunch honouring our Canadian Military with members of the Royal Canadian Legion branch 52, ANAVETS and the Rocky Mountain Rangers.

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“The Kamloops Blazers honour the military through various events throughout the year including Military Appreciation nights,” explains Royal Canadian Legion branch 52 President Craig Thomson. “The Memorial Cup is a Canadian institution dating back to 1919 in recognition of the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in the First World War. We value our continued partnership with the Kamloops Blazers.”

Saturday afternoon from 3-5pm, fans are invited to a free Hot stove and autograph session with Blazers Alumni including Bob Brown, Ken Hitchcock, Rob Brown, Greg Evtushevski, Tom Renney, Greg Hawgood, Shane Doan, Scott Niedermayer, and more WHL greats! It is expected to be the who’s who of Canadian Hockey. Fans can also have their photo taken with the Memorial Cup and Digger.

Saturday night is game night where the Kamloops Blazers faceoff against the Calgary Hitmen at 7pm. There will be pre-game opening ceremonies recognizing returning coaches and players. It is expected to be a sold-out game.

“The Kamloops Blazers have always had the support of the Kamloops community,” expresses Kamloops Blazers co-owner Tom Gaglardi. “Blazers fans continue to come out and get behind the team. Our team and coaches are working hard to build on last years’ success. The Memorial Cup Anniversary is a reminder of the heart within our organization, the community and those that helped to get us where we are today.”

For more information about the Kamloops Blazers Memorial Cup & WHL Anniversary, visit www.blazerhockey.com.

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Media Contact:

Kamloops Blazers Gord Bamford #REDNEK Music Fest Don Moores, President & COO Samantha Pickard (250) 828-1144 (416) 786-9769 [email protected] [email protected]

More About:

Gord Bamford -raised Gord Bamford, stands as one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music with an impressive 26 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, multi JUNO nominations and the only two-time winner of Nashville’s Country Music Association (CMA) Global Country Artist of the Year award.

It is his distinctive sound and song writing ability that defines Gord Bamford as one of country music’s best neotraditional artists. Like so many others that have come before him, Bamford is just not an overnight success. He has spent the better part of the last 20 years honing his craft & working hard to get where he is today.

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Bamford's first single off of his latest project #REDNEK has seen immediate success and is the highest streamed Gord Bamford tune out of the gate at well over 1million streams in the first month. The next single To Get to You feat. Jess Moskaluke releases late 2019. Neon Smoke, was released in early 2018 containing the smash #1 chart topper Dive Bar and follows his album, winner of the 2016 CCMA ‘Album of The Year’. Tin Roof, nominated for the 2016 JUNO Country Album of The Year, follows the Juno Nominated album and it’s #1 hit song ‘When Your Lips Are So Close’. He is a 3-time CCMA ‘Male Artist of the Year’

Gord is a man who believes with his whole heart in giving back. The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation has generated over $4 million since its inception in 2008 for children’s charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, numerous children’s hospitals across Canada and MusiCounts. That humble, likeable approach is what continues to draw legions of fans to Gord Bamford's legacy.

Bamford’s Kamloops connection: Bamford’s son Nash, a forward, was drafted by the Kamloops Blazers in the 7th round in 2019. Bamford joined on-ice at Kamloops Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada WHL’s 50th Season Pro Am Alumni game. Bamford played to unprecedented crowds, July 2018, at BCLC’s Midsummer Jam. This will be Bamford’s first concert back to Kamloops since then.

Memorial Cup

The Memorial Cup trophy is a symbol of the championship of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Dating back to 1919, the trophy was originally awarded to the junior champions of Canada by what was then known as the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). The Memorial Cup was established by Captain James T. Sutherland to honour those who gave their lives during World War I. It was rededicated during the 2010 tournament to honour all soldiers who died fighting for Canada in any conflict. The Kamloops Blazers have won the most Memorial Cups of any team in the WHL with five, two as New Westminster (1977 and 1978) and three as Kamloops (1992, 1994 and 1995). They were also WHL champions in 1984, 1986 and 1990. The Kamloops Blazers host their annual Military Appreciation Night where they wear a camouflage pattern jersey for the night then auction them off with net proceeds going to The Royal Canadian Poppy Trust Fund.

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